"Although we came to look for dragon tears."
"But it's really big here, and so dilapidated."
Walking through the desolate ruins, looking at the scene that could only be described as a wasteland,
Paimon, floating in the air, couldn't help but speak up.
Yes, the Temple of the Thousand Winds was even more dilapidated than imagined.
If the three previously abandoned Temples of the Four Winds still retained some semblance of a temple's exterior,
Then this Temple of the Thousand Winds could truly be described as ruins.
"After all, thousands of years have passed."
"With no one to maintain it for such a long time, even the most magnificent architectural complex would become ruins."
Looking at the endless crumbling walls, Kai replied as a matter of course.
Although he had never been to the Temple of the Thousand Winds,
Because he often idled away in the library while waiting for his wife to get off work,
Regarding these areas and architectural complexes within Mondstadt,
Kai had learned quite a lot from book descriptions.
"But such a magnificent building would be abandoned, the people of Mondstadt are really strange."
Looking around at the Temple of the Thousand Winds, whose past glory could still be faintly seen,
Paimon scratched her head, her tone filled with confusion.
"As Mondstadt, under the rule of the God of Anemo, to successively abandon the Temples of the Four Winds and this Temple of the Thousand Winds, it feels completely illogical."
"You'll have to ask Barbatos about that."
Kai narrowed his eyes and casually explained.
"After all, this temple, in fact, besides being connected to the God of Anemo, also involves a demon god related to time. But I don't know the specifics too well; perhaps when you two meet Barbatos in the future,"
"You might be able to learn the truth from him?"
The Temple of the Thousand Winds was rumored to be used for worshipping the God of Anemo.
But in reality, besides its connection to the God of Anemo,
According to the history Kai knew, it also involved a demon god related to time. But what exactly it was, at least the Mondstadt library had no relevant records.
So, Kai naturally didn't know either.
"As for the Temples of the Four Winds, they were purely abandoned because of the Hilichurl."
"After all, when these temples were first built, Hilichurl didn't even exist in this world."
The emergence of Hilichurl is considered an unsolved mystery for the entire continent of Teyvat, with no warning whatsoever.
It was as if they appeared out of nowhere, suddenly on the continent of Teyvat.
Even the traditional Seven Nations were greatly disrupted by the sudden attacks of these creatures, with the God of Dendro even falling victim to them.
It was truly an unsolved mystery.
Although scholars later suggested that these Hilichurl should be related to the fallen Kingdom of Khaenri'ah, as the timing of both events was too coincidental,
It cannot be denied that due to the Hilichurl,
Mondstadt also suffered significant impacts.
At the very least, these originally remote Temples of the Four Winds no longer seemed safe.
After all, there was also a cathedral within Mondstadt City where people could worship.
Given this, there was no reason to risk being attacked by Hilichurl.
And travel so far to worship at the Temples of the Four Winds.
"I see."
"Kai is truly knowledgeable!"
After hearing Kai's explanation, Paimon's eyes gradually lit up.
Her thirst for knowledge was clearly greatly satisfied.
"It's alright…"
"It's just that I always had to wait for Acting Grand Master Jean to get off work, so I liked to spend time in the library when I was bored."
"So, naturally, I learned more."
Kai scratched his head and chuckled.
"Then, Kai, where do you think… the dragon tears might be hidden?"
As everyone was chatting,
With their journey deepening, the central location of the Temple of the Thousand Winds was already in sight.
Looking at the increasing number of ruined structures around them,
Lumine quietly asked, clearly unable to sense any trace of the dragon tears within this expanse of crumbling walls.
"That's actually quite simple; Acting Grand Master Jean used to share a trick for finding things."
Scanning the surrounding dilapidated buildings, Kai replied with a relaxed expression.
"Eh eh eh, there's a trick to finding things?"
This matter clearly exceeded Paimon's expectations.
Hearing Kai say so, she quickly flew over.
Little stars were almost sparkling in her eyes.
"Yes, there's a trick, you know."
Kai replied with a smile on his lips.
"Then Kai, quickly teach me, quickly teach me!"
"Lumine and I often drop Mora in the wild, and sometimes we can't even afford to eat."
"If we could learn this skill, we could find our Mora back if we drop it again."
Paimon clasped her hands together, staring eagerly at Kai.
She was clearly looking forward to his next answer.
"Actually, it's quite simple."
Since he had an audience.
So, Kai, of course, didn't mind sharing this technique of Jean's.
So, he lightly coughed twice.
Kai began to explain in a serious voice.
"The trick to finding things, actually, the key is: to suddenly find what you're looking for when you're not even trying."
"For example, when you wake up in the morning and try to find food in the wild, you often search for a long time and find nothing, but then you look up and suddenly see a few ripe Sunsettias on a nearby tree."
"To put it simply, don't think about what you're looking for in your mind; only then will you stumble upon your target."
"This..."
Paimon scratched her head.
She exchanged a confused glance with Lumine, full of bewilderment.
"This doesn't really count as a technique, does it?"
"And it's really hard to look for something you know is lost without consciously trying to find it."
"That's why this technique still requires some skill refinement. For example, Jean uses it very skillfully. I've never succeeded in hiding anything from her... cough cough."
As if realizing he had mentioned something he shouldn't have.
Kai coughed twice and quickly changed the subject.
"Anyway, that's roughly the situation."
"Then, Kai, can you use this technique now to find the dragon tears?"
Paimon looked at Kai with eager eyes, full of anticipation.
"Of course, no problem."
Kai replied with a confident smile.
He pointed a finger directly at the center of the temple.
"According to my judgment."
"The dragon tears... are definitely on this guy."
"This guy?"
Paimon blinked and instinctively turned her head to look.
As a huge shadow covered her face, a scream erupted instantly.
"Ah ah ah ah!!!"